El Paso man jumps from car on 1-10 near Anthony

LAS CRUCES >> An unidentified El Paso man has been hospitalized after jumping out of the car his brother was driving Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 10, near the Anthony Port of Entry.

New Mexico Motor Transportation Police Lt. Janine Trujillo said the car was traveling westbound, probably close to the 75 mile-per-hour speed limit, when the man opened the passenger door and rolled out of the car. His brother, who was visiting from out of state, had tried to grab the man, hoping to keep him in the car.

Trujillo said the two were not fighting when the man leapt.

The man, whom Trujillo estimated was about 40, was airlifted to an El Paso hospital.

Shortly after 2 p.m., the New Mexico Department of Transportation announced all three westbound driving lanes would be closed due to an incident. The lanes reopened before 3 p.m., according to a report from the scene.

The car was driving in the center lane when the man jumped out. He rolled and came to rest in another driving lane but was not hit by traffic.